John E. "Jack" Kraus

KRAUS, John E.
John E. "Jack" Kraus passed away peacefully at home on July 3rd at the age of 91.
Adored husband for 65 years of Lois. Beloved father of John (Rebecca), Joseph (Mary), James and Jeffry (Jerilyn). Cherished grandfather of Lauren (Derek) Coatney, Cecilia (Alexander) Horbal, Gregory (Kaylyn), Kathleen, Matthew (Katherine), Andrew, Megan, Sean (deceased), Benjamin, Jack and William. Dearest great-grandfather of Connor, Grace, Leah, Daniel, Nora and Claire. Loving son of the late John and the late Mabel Kraus. Loving brother of Rita (the late Hank) Spezia, the late Tom (the late Marge), (Sally), Jim (Susan) and Ann (John) Getz. Loving brother-in-law of Irene (the late Walter) Zimmermann. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Born in Detroit on June 29, 1931, he grew up on Ashland Street and he was an "East-sider" his entire life. He went to St. Ambrose school and began his working life as a young delivery boy, pulling groceries in his wagon outside the A&P store on Jefferson Avenue.
In high school, he worked as a butcher's assistant but soon discovered his true passion for numbers and finance. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where they wisely gave him a desk job fighting the war on paperwork from Fort Riley, Kansas.
After his military service, he returned home and attended the University of Detroit, compliments of the G.I Bill. He graduated with a degree in accounting and became a C.P.A. -- his lifelong profession which he practiced for over 60 years!
Jack married Lois LaVigne on October 6, 1956 and together they raised four sons in Warren and later Clinton Township. They enjoyed spending summer weekends at their cottage in Lexington and annual trips to Grand Marais, Michigan. With all four sons attending the University of Michigan, Jack became a die-hard Wolverine fan and consummate tailgater, decked out in maize and blue on game days for over 40 years.
Jack also went back to school himself and earned a Masters in Taxation from Walsh College. Although his professional life kept him active and engaged until his mid 80's, he and Lois enjoyed traveling the world with friends and family -- including many memorable trips to Rome and the Holy Land with the Capuchin Brothers and good friends from St. Bonaventure in Detroit.
A man of deep faith, Jack leaves behind a legacy of hard work, commitment to family and friends and true compassion for the least among us.
Visitation Thursday, July 7, 2022 from 3-8pm at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc. 36900 Schoenherr at Metro Parkway (16 Mile), with Rosary 7pm. Funeral Friday, July 8, 2022 with instate 10am until the 10:30am Mass at St. Bonaventure Capuchin Monastery 1820 Mt. Elliott Detroit. Burial to be held at a later date at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery in Grand Marais. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in John's honor to the Father Solanus Casey Center or charity of donor's choice. Please share memories with the family on their "Online guestbook" @ WujekCalcaterra.com